Edward R. Tufte

Copyright © 2006 Patrick McDermott

UCB Extensionpmcdermott@msn.com

Tufte, Edward R., Envisioning Information, Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press (0-9613921-1-8), 1990. Tufte, Edward R., Visual Explanations, Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press (0-9613921-2-6), 1997.

Tufte, Edward R., The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, Second Edition, Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press (0-9613921-4-2), (2001) [1983].

Tufte, Edward R., Beautiful Evidence, Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press (0-9613921-7-7), 2006.

Tufte’s Seminars

• I was Afraid might Cancel– 300 $360 = $108,000– Nothing to Worry about!

• Props– Olde Books– Space Shuttle Model– Dynamic Presenter

• Keep his objections in mind– Compensate

Tufte Hates PowerPoint

• Bullets Show– Sequence– Priority– Membership in a set

• Auto Content Wizard• PowerPoint Phluff:

– “A preoccupation with Form, not Content”

Chartjunk• Over-produced layouts• Cheerleader logotypes & branding• Corny clip art

Irony: This is a PowerPoint about hating PowerPoint!

Napoleon’s Army in Russia

Charles Joseph Minard (1781-1870)Russian Campaign of 1812, Napoleon’s March to Moscow, 1861

“It may well be the best statistical graphic ever drawn—Edward Tufte”

In Defense of PowerPointSuperficial analysis, rambling presentations and

incoherent talks did not first appear with the advent of PowerPoint.

Printed versions were not the goal. Since it’s available, the presenter shares it. Before PowerPoint, it simply wouldn’t have been feasible to share it.

“PP presentations too often resemble the school play: very loud, very slow, and very simple.” – PMcD: Every school play I’ve ever seen were best

described this way: The actors loved it! The students loved it! The parents loved it! The teachers loved it! Everybody loved it, except that grouch Edward Tufte! Frankly, if one of my talks was as successful as most school plays, I’d be delighted!

– Just Ask Disney about High School Musical!

Tufte’s Advice

• He contrasts with magicians, and says do the opposite.– Magic works by indirection & distraction– We want to focus & clarify

• Never Tell Them what You’re Going to Do• Never Repeat Yourself

Why Are We Here?

1. Near the beginning of your presentation, tell the audience: What the problem isWhy the problem is importantWhat the solution to the problem is

Jonier Marin, 1994

PGP

2. To explain complex ideas or data, use the method of PGP

Particular to General& back to Particular

Particular

General

Particular

Handouts

3. No matter what, give everybody in the audience one or more pieces of paper, packed with material related to your presentation.

Practice

4. Analyze the details of your presentation; then master those details by practice, practice, practice.

The Earlies

5. Show up early. Something good is bound to happen.

6. Finish early.

Impression-SunriseClaude Monetc. 1872

Instructor’s Notes

• Mine are my Instructor Notes• Head Start on Notetaking• Take ’em or Leave ’em• What’s wrong with Corny Clip Art?!?